Ivory Coast into final

Ivory Coast moved within one step of ending their 23-year title drought by beating Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 on Wednesday to advance to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

A first-half goal from Yaya Toure was equalized by Dieumerci Mbokani, before goals from Gervinho and Serge Wilfried Kanon sealed a 3-1 win for Ivory Coast, who will now face the winner of Thursday's semifinal between Ghana and hosts Equatorial Guinea.

DR Congo had the first chance of the game in the sixth minute, but Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo made a nice save from Jeremy Bokila's effort.

Ivory Coast then took the lead in the 21st minute, through a thunderous strike from Toure, who ran onto a cross by Wilfried Bony and unleashed an 18-yard rocket past DR Congo keeper Robert Kidiaba.

DR Congo claw back

The score was leveled just three minutes later. Eric Bailly handled a ball in the box, and Mbokani stepped up to the spot and struck his penalty into the bottom right corner.

Gervinho nearly gave the Elephants the lead in the 40th minute as his header went off the crossbar. The Roma winger pushed Ivory Coast back ahead a minute later however, hitting a lay-off from Wilfried Bony first time past Kidiaba.

Ivory Coast keeper Gbohouo was called on to keep his team ahead, nine minutes after the restart, with a low save from a Yannick Bolasie shot.

Ivory Coast sealed their place in the final with a third goal in the 68th minute as Kidiaba stopped Serge Aurier's attempt from a corner, but Kanon was there to hit home the rebound for his first international goal.

apc/rd (AP, dpa)